KAUST Discovery Scholarships in Science and Technology 2009

As previous year, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) now offers scholarships in science and technology for international students.

KAUST DISCOVERY SCHOLARSHIPS
The KAUST Discovery Scholarship is the general scholarship program of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST).
This program is designed to ensure that any highly talented student who is qualified and eligible to enroll in KAUST will receive full financial support while at the University. Those who receive a Discovery Scholarship will receive full tuition support, a living stipend, and summer and career enrichment programs.

KAUST will offer Discovery Scholarships to all KAUST students – an exceptional level of support intended to attract gifted and talented students from Saudi Arabia and from other countries around the world.

KAUST will offer a pre-enrollment version of this general scholarship program to students attending first-university or bachelor`s degree programs. KAUST will provide financial support to pre-enrollment Discovery Scholarship recipients at their home institutions prior to the University`s opening. Upon graduation, these students will enter KAUST as master`s degree students in September 2009 and 2010 to complete their graduate studies on a fully funded scholarship.

Recipients of the KAUST Discovery Scholarship represent future leaders in science, engineering and technology.

Students may apply for a KAUST Discovery Scholarship directly, or they may be nominated by a professor at their institution.

ELIGIBILITY AND SELECTION

Note: Students studying at universities in Europe should contact scholarships@kaust.edu.sa to receive information on special eligibility considerations for Europe.

To apply for the KAUST Discovery Scholarship, you must met the following eligibility requirements:

* Be currently enrolled in a bachelor`s/first university degree program in a KAUST-relevant field of study
* Current field of study must be in a KAUST-relevant area, such as Engineering, Mathematics, or the Physical, Chemical and Biological Sciences
* Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent in other international grading systems
* Ability to enroll at KAUST in 2009, 2010, or 2011
* Must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 79 on the IBT (Internet Based Test) or 6.0 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) upon award offer. A TOEFL or IELTS score is not required if the applicant is a native speaker of English or attended a university in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia or New Zealand
* Official bachelor’s university transcript (must be in English to be accepted). A scan of the official transcript must be uploaded into the online application form and a hard copy, in a university sealed envelope, must be mailed to:
Institute of International Education
Attn: KAUST Transcripts
1800 West Loop South, Suite 250
Houston, Texas 77027
* Demonstrate academic and research interest and/or leadership potential
* Ability to travel outside home country to attend KAUST development activities

Selection Criteria

KAUST has developed a fair, consistent and transparent selection process for the KAUST Discovery Scholarship. Applicants will be evaluated by the following criteria:

* Academic achievement
* First university or bachelor’s field of study
* Commitment to KAUST goals
* Statement of Purpose
* Demonstrated leadership abilities
* Involvement in related extracurricular activities
* Commitment to matriculate at KAUST upon graduation
* Interview with KAUST representatives or faculty (for finalists only)

SCHOLARSHIP BENEFITS

If you are awarded the KAUST Discovery Scholarship, KAUST will provide the following benefits:

* For the remainder of your first university or bachelor`s degree program of study, you will receive:
o Full tuition to complete your first university or bachelor`s degree at your current institution
o A living stipend based on your current city and country of residence
o An allowance to purchase text books
o An allowance to purchase a laptop.
o All economy class travel costs associated with your participation in KAUST-sponsored enrichment activities throughout the remainder of your first university or bachelor`s degree program. In particular, travel associated with the following activities:
+ Scholarship award ceremony event
+ Global workshop at the KAUST campus in Saudi Arabia
+ Regional leadership workshop
* Upon the completion of your first university or bachelor`s degree program, you will receive:
o Admission into a master`s degree program upon meeting the program`s admission requirements at the KAUST campus in Saudi Arabia.
See http://www.kaust.edu.sa/academics/degrees-fields-of-study.aspx
o A full scholarship at KAUST, including tuition, housing and travel costs

TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR RECEIVING THE KAUST DISCOVERY SCHOLARSHIP

If you are selected to receive a KAUST Discovery Scholarship, KAUST will determine your scholarship-award package. You will be required to sign a Terms and Conditions document.

Click here for a sample Terms and Conditions document for your review.

ONLINE APPLICATION AND INFORMATION

There are four components to the KAUST Discovery Scholarship application:

1. Online student section with essays
2. Letters of recommendation
3. Official university record of achievement (transcripts)
4. Official TOEFL or IELTS English language proficiency score

Students who currently receive funding and/or scholarships at their current institution are eligible. KAUST will consider these other funding sources when determining the Discovery Scholarship award amount. Students should check with their university financial aid offices if they have questions regarding their funding, awards, and scholarships.

Applicants who are unable to produce an English language proficiency test score by the deadline may still apply. If selected, the award offer will be considered conditional until the student can provide a satisfactory test score at a later date.

Interviews, to be conducted in English, are required for finalists in the selection process. KAUST representatives or faculty will conduct interviews in person.

DEADLINES

The Discovery Scholarship Online Application deadline is Friday, January 16th, 2009. All official documents sent by mail must be received by the KAUST Scholarship Office by that date.

For more information, please review KAUST’s list of frequently asked questions about the KAUST Discovery Scholarship at
http://www.kaust.edu.sa/news/faq.aspx#DiscoveryScholarship

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology
P.O. Box 55455
Jeddah 21534, Saudi Arabia
Website: http://www.kaust.edu.sa/